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Bullards Bar Lake and Reports

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Wednesday, December 13th, 2017

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    Water Temp: 54?

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I visited Bullards twice in the past few days - once for a short 3 hr trip by myself and a guide trip yesterday. There were several rigs in the parking lot at Dark Day on my first trip and many bass boats on the water. I had a few bites and landed a smaller bass. Yesterday (Tues) my client and I arrived at the ramp at 9:30 am and, behold!, not a single bass rig there. We only saw 4 or 5 bass boats all day which had launched at the dam. It was a "teach the lake" trip and we drop-shotted several good areas. We did find two good schools of bass from 50 to 75 feet, but they really wouldn't eat. He is a good stik and had lots of subtle bites, but the bass wouldn't inhale. He did catch a small spot and shortly before we quit, he landed a nice 2+ pounder. I think he was using the MM111 Robo worm - not sure about the color. That seemed to get the most bites yesterday.

    Tips: The lake is at a pretty steady level with not much incoming water. The current weather pattern is bringing drop-dead gorgeous afternoons, but remember, the sun doesn't warm the water in late December! You may be warm in the December afternoon, but the bass aren't!! It seems to me that the fishing is better as one goes further up the river.

Saturday, May 20th, 2017

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    Water Temp: 66-68

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I had the pleasure of taking a husband/wife team from Florida to our beautiful Bullards Bar! Florida with its 3 to 5 foot water they fish - Bullards was probably a shock to them when my Lowrance would often read over 300 feet!!! A new world in California! The fishing was fair since the lake continues to rise - now about 97% full. All the cover (trees and brush) are now under water, so most fishing is on visible structure - points, walls, etc. She fished for awhile and then most enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Bullards is a beautiful lake when full!!! He fished hard and caught a bunch of spots up to 2 lbs but never hooked a big one. Very few boats on the water. The dinks are showing up now but the bite is still slow.

    Tips: I think the bite will gradually slide into the summer pattern - lots of dinks with an occasional large spot. The June post-spawn bite can be pretty good on crankbaits and swimbaits, but will probably be tougher because of the high water that will be with us for awhile. Dropping Senkos around the flooded brush and trees should work pretty well this summer!!

Saturday, April 22nd, 2017

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    Water Temp: 57-62

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: On water with wife @ 9am. Off @ 7pm. Intermittent breeze and overcast. 22 fish in the boat for me with biggest at 7.25 lbs. Wife only managed 5 in the boat with biggest at 2.5 lbs. She probably lost at least 10-15 as the bite was so lite and she barely had them hooked. Most fish came on Lizards, small tubes, and worms. Big fish on personalized Yo Mama baits.

Saturday, April 15th, 2017

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    Water Temp: 54-57

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Wife and I today. Not a breath of wind all day. Lake pretty full of debris. Very slow day with all the action occurring around noon. 10 fish total. All at 13" except for the pig my wife caught @ 7.75 lbs. Caught on a 4" Lizard, 1/16 oz. bullet, 6 lb. test.

Monday, January 16th, 2017

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    Report: FROM YUBA COUNTY WATER AGENCY
    January 16, 2016
    New Bullards Bar Reservoir reopened
    The Yuba County Water Agency has reopened New Bullards Bar Reservoir to watercraft
    following a break in the security boom near the dam.
    The security boom stretches across the reservoir near the dam to block logs and deter
    boaters from maneuvering too close to the dam and spillway.
    As a result of the recent heavy storms, the log boom broke, leaving sections of it on either
    side of the reservoir, which created safety concerns because of the high water releases
    through the spill gates on the dam.
    The repair required waiting until the spill was reduced, due to the close proximity of the spill
    gates. After the gates had been closed, YCWA was able to secure the log boom back in its
    rightful place and the reservoir is now open for boating.
    For more information about New Bullards Bar, please call 530-741-5000.

Thursday, January 12th, 2017

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    Report: Larry Hemphill » Thu Jan 12, 2017 2:03 pm

    Bullards Bar is closed to all boating until further notice. I think this went into effect yesterday. The log boom that is in front of the spillway was destroyed by the high water outflow. Our local paper said it would remain closed until the overflow at the spillway is over. I think you saw the video that was posted here yesterday. By the way, those videos were amazing - thank you!! I will keep you posted if I hear anything new, or when the lake reopens. It could be awhile. The spotted bass are excited about all their new shallow water homes and condos!!

Wednesday, October 12th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 66-69

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I was up at Bullards Bar last week with a friend for a few hours and found fishing quite slow with small bass only. We did fish during a hot afternoon. Yesterday I had a guide trip with a father/son team from Colorado - and found the fishing much better. We started about 7:30 am, and dad got started right away with a few better spotted bass - the biggest at 2 1/4 lbs. The bite was pretty good most of the trip as we landed around 50 spots. Even though the lake was flat calm with bright sun (typical late summer tough conditions), a hint of fall was in the size. Maybe 20 of the bass were in the 12 to 14 inch size - a sign that fall might be around the corner. In fact - winter may be here this Friday!! We fished out of Dark Day ramp and stayed mostly in that part of the lake. Only saw one other bass boat and two other pleasure boats - with one GREAT wake boarder - Wow!!

    Tips: My two guys brought the "kitchen sink" - 8 rods and lots of baits. Some of their baits worked!! Drop-shotting was the main attention-getter with Robo worms of several colors working. Shad colors were great. Points were the best structure, along with shadowed walls in the afternoon. With the sun lower on the horizon now, one can fish lots of shade water. That will be a good plan until the lake gets some color - or clouds. The first clouds in several days rolled into Yuba City tonight! You probably know that all the trees are far above the waterline now.

Saturday, September 24th, 2016

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    Report: Lake water level is 68% Full
    Water Level ELEV. 1882.43
    Water Temperature: 76 deg;
    (Updated 09-24-2016)

Monday, July 4th, 2016

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    Report: Why should a lake with the word “NEW” in its name be talked about in such recent glowing reports? These great reviews are usually for newly formed lakes, after they are filled.

    When a new lake is opened, the first six or seven years usually provide excellent fishing for bass, bluegill and other panfish; but, the “NEW” Bullards Bar Lake was completely filled in 1971. A 45-year-old lake is not new – unless – something is new about the fishery.

    Yes, there is something REALLY new at Bullards Bar – GIANT Spotted Bass!

    Read the rest: http://www.westernbass.com/article/the-really-new-bullards-bar-reservoir

Monday, June 20th, 2016

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    Report: by Larry Hemphill » Mon Jun 20, 2016 7:30 pm

    You should have no trouble catching a lot of bass in the early morning. Problem is - they are mostly 6 to 12 inchers. You might get into a bigger bass if you work the steep drop-offs and points. Also, drop Senkos next to the off-shore trees. That might be your best bet for a quality spotted bass!

Sunday, April 24th, 2016

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    Report: Lunker Larry's client with a post-spawn spotted bass at 7 lbs 14 oz - Bullards Bar, using a Robo worm.

    I had a guide trip Friday and today - Sunday - a rare Sunday trip for me. There really wasn't much fishing pressure either day. Mornings were calm with bad winds both days starting late morning. I guess I should start with todays (Sun) trip as the father of my father/son trip showed son how it's done!! Did he ever - to the tune of a 7 lb 14 oz post spawn spotted bass. That's the way to start a trip!!! I had him fishing a morning dawn 6" Robo worm. When I saw that fish rise to the surface, I just about freaked!! Quite a tussle at the boat but I somehow got her in the net on the first swipe. After those Bullards spots spawn, they are still tall - top to bottom! After that, they just caught small ones up to 13 inches - smaller than the Friday trip. That trip started off well as I put a 4 1/4 lb spot in the boat and lost another big one which broke my line. In spite of the horrible wind that came up, we caught several keepers up to 2 lbs. The total bass caught on both trips was about the same, 25 to 30+.

    Tips: One has to assume that the bigger spots are only up shallow early and maybe late in the day. They just are hard to find now during the post-spawn. I was surprised that the Senko bite hasn't been very good - at least in my boat. It is hard to get away from the Robo worms - in 2 or 3 favorite colors, when trying to get clients into post-spawn action. Almost every cove now has flooded trees - some totally submerged. Wow - talk about cover. The lake is still rising - now about 91% - and should fill before long. Bullards Bar is a simply gorgeous lake when full - enjoy!!

    Pix here; http://www.westernbass.com/forum/post562090.html?hilit=bullards#p562090

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    Water Temp: 62-65

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I had a guide trip Friday and today - Sunday - a rare Sunday trip for me. There really wasn't much fishing pressure either day. Mornings were calm with bad winds both days starting late morning. I guess I should start with todays (Sun) trip as the father of my father/son trip showed son how it's done!! Did he ever - to the tune of a 7 lb 14 oz post spawn spotted bass. That's the way to start a trip!!! I had him fishing a morning dawn 6" Robo worm. When I saw that fish rise to the surface, I just about freaked!! Quite a tussle at the boat but I somehow got her in the net on the first swipe. After those Bullards spots spawn, they are still tall - top to bottom! After that, they just caught small ones up to 13 inches - smaller than the Friday trip. That trip started off well as I put a 4 1/4 lb spot in the boat and lost another big one which broke my line. In spite of the horrible wind that came up, we caught several keepers up to 2 lbs. The total bass caught on both trips was about the same, 25 to 30+.

    Tips: One has to assume that the bigger spots are only up shallow early and maybe late in the day. They just are hard to find now during the post-spawn. I was surprised that the Senko bite hasn't been very good - at least in my boat. It is hard to get away from the Robo worms - in 2 or 3 favorite colors, when trying to get clients into post-spawn action. Almost every cove now has flooded trees - some totally submerged. Wow - talk about cover. The lake is still rising - now about 91% - and should fill before long. Bullards Bar is a simply gorgeous lake when full - enjoy!!

Thursday, February 4th, 2016

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    Report: by greatwhite888 » Thu Feb 04, 2016 8:32 am

    Both Dark Day and Emerald Cove are open. I tried to go Tuesday morning but it was snowing pretty good as I got to Dobbins. As I started up the hill I saw a car that had slid off an embankment and several other drivers that talked me out of towing the boat up through the snow so I turned around. Was pretty sure I could make it with 4 wheel drive but didn't want to risk it while towing a boat. I'm sure whatever snow fell has melted by now though and the low Friday morning is supposed to be around 40 so their shouldn't be any ice on the ramps. I hope not because I'm headed up Friday morning as well! Good luck!

Wednesday, January 27th, 2016

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    Report: by kraetzer » Wed Jan 27, 2016 8:30 am

    Got a random day off yesterday and thought I go up there - 10 to 15 trailers on the dark day ramp parking lot, guess the word got out :lol:
    Fished from 11am till 5pm mostly in the Willow Creek arm. Water temp was from 48 to 51 degrees. Watch out for debris!!! Big floaters all over the lake.
    Nice warm day and the water has some color to it, so we fished the 0 - 40 feet range most of the day.
    Got a couple of dinks and missed a couple of bites. I think we should have fished deeper. Later in the day we moved out into 60-70 feet of water and got a couple of bites and also saw some fish on the meter.
    All bites came on a shaky head with a mm roboworm and a brown and purple jig.
    No recommendations or tips but I think I will stay out deeper the next time.

    Good luck and tight lines.

Monday, December 28th, 2015

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    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: I've been out the past three weekends with very little success. The water is on the rise with a slight stain to stained in some areas. I've tried from 1ft to 80ft using just about everything from rip baits and a rigs to a dart head, jigs and everything in between. I know someone out there has figured out how to get the big girls but i'm definitely not one of them. All i can catch is rats. I'm pretty sure the lake is on a turnover or the inconsistent weather has given the big girls lockjaw. Yesterday the ramp was iced over so be careful launching the boat. 4x4 was necessary after a few boats launched and the ramp froze. Fish have been scattered in all depths but the 15 to 30ft zone seems to be where the majority of bait is holding. Tried main lake points, secondary points, bluffs, cuts, you name it. Lots of suspended fish as well.

    Tips: 4x4 if its below freezing and watch out for debris floating in the lake. yesterday was the first day in 3 weeks the lake had a lot of wood floating around. Be safe and have fun.

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015

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    Report: jaybird » Wed Dec 02, 2015 12:44 pm

    I was there on Saturday. 28th with four wheel drive almost got stuck. The problem is that the trailer started to sink in the muck (sand) and I also was by myself which did not help.
    If you have 2 people I feel you would be fine, as I had to park my boat close enough to the ramp because the footing is like quick sand. I sunk about 4 to 6 inches walking on the bank. Therefore my trailer was a bit off line from the ramp which probably added to the left side of the trailer sinking. Just a heads up, with 2 people and four wheel drive I think you would have no worries.
    Hope this helps!

Monday, November 30th, 2015

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    Report: Knowing spotted bass are one of the hardest fighting fish, Brent Ehrler was surprised when he easily landed a fat-bellied brute last week.

    “It just came right to the net,” said the Bassmaster Elite Series angler, who took Mark Zona’s invitation to film a Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show at New Bullards Bar Reservoir in northern California.

    While Ehrler had a great trip, he didn’t receive a great pull on his personal best spotted bass.

    “I referred to them as being like Jabba the Hutt,” he said. “I believe the fish are so fat, they literally can’t move.

    “These fish, they’re not right. Proportionally, they look fake. We’ve all caught 3-pound spotted bass, and it’s a giant battle. They are the hardest pulling fish. I just envisioned what the fight would be if I caught one of the big ones, a 7-, 8-, 10-pounder.”

    While he was disappointed in that battle, both anglers caught their personal best spots, and each might have had a world record on the line momentarily. Spotted bass from Bullards Bar, which Zona calls the “biggest secret, non-secret lake in the world,” have broken the IGFA world record several times in the past two years.

    On Dec. 27, angler Wes Roberson caught an 11-pound spotted bass, weighed it and released the fish alive. The IGFA is considering his record submission, and if certified it would overtake the current 10-6 record.

    Read the rest at Bassmaster.com http://www.bassmaster.com/news/daily-limit-jabba-spotted-bass

Sunday, November 29th, 2015

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    Report: AmberRusso » Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:47 pm

    Fishing report for Bullards bar. Thank you everybody for all of your information Bullards was great really windy a little cold but the fishing was excellent. I launched out of dark day and it was a challenge because I was by myself so two people is definitely recommend it. As soon as I was leaving dark day the wind was so bad making the water very rough I headed for the first cove I could see. I noticed the steep rocks and targeted that area. I was using a margarita mutilator and caught fish back to back but they were all small. I used a weedless Huddleston and was able to catch a fish over 3 pounds. I decided to go to Emerald Cove to get some coffee and fish that area. I was using a black and red jig with a black and red Yamamoto double tail grub as a trailer and stuck a largemouth bass around 6 pounds. I was very surprised to see a largemouth this big here. I fished the area for the next hour and caught quite a few more fish ranging 1 to 2 1/2 pounds. despite the wind and the cold the fishing was awesome and would definitely recommend taking a trip there before it gets colder. Definitely focus on areas that have steep rocks and areas where the sun and the shade line come together. The lake is very low in fact Emerald Cove guy said it's the lowest it's been since 1979. These fish were shallow surprisingly so try not to target Deepwater too much Right now.

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    Report: Fishing report for Bullards bar. Thank you everybody for all of your information Bullards was great really windy a little cold but the fishing was excellent. I launched out of dark day and it was a challenge because I was by myself so two people is definitely recommend it. As soon as I was leaving dark day the wind was so bad making the water very rough I headed for the first cove I could see. I noticed the steep rocks and targeted that area. I was using a margarita mutilator and caught fish back to back but they were all small. I used a weedless Huddleston and was able to catch a fish over 3 pounds. I decided to go to Emerald Cove to get some coffee and fish that area. I was using a black and red jig with a black and red Yamamoto double tail grub as a trailer and stuck a largemouth bass around 6 pounds. I was very surprised to see a largemouth this big here. I fished the area for the next hour and caught quite a few more fish ranging 1 to 2 1/2 pounds. despite the wind and the cold the fishing was awesome and would definitely recommend taking a trip there before it gets colder. Definitely focus on areas that have steep rocks and areas where the sun and the shade line come together. The lake is very low in fact Emerald Cove guy said it's the lowest it's been since 1979. These fish were shallow surprisingly so try not to target Deepwater too much Right now.

Friday, November 27th, 2015

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    Report: by Larry Hemphill » Fri Nov 27, 2015 3:10 pm

    With lower lake levels everywhere, it is a great time to take a few photos of structure that may not be visible for decades - if the heavy rain and snow does happen. On my last trip to Berryessa, I saw a rockpile with steep dropoff that I had never seen before. On my first or second cast, I caught a near 4 lb spotted bass. It was a perfect structure that may be under 40 feet of water by June. Let's hope!!